Tension device for fence-machines



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6 A. J. FORSYTHE &- e. L. GW1NN.-

' TENSION DEVICE FOR FENCE MACHINES.

No. 411,122. Patented Sept. 1'7 1889.

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.f i g I. @fie t r// I N, PUERS, Phulwlilhagm hur. Washing! nnnnn CvUNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

ANDRElV J. FORSYTHE AND GEORGE L. GIVINN, OF KOKOMO, INDIANA.

TENSION DEVICE FOR FENCE-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,122, datedSeptember 17, 1889.

Application filed April 25, 1889. Serial No. 308,556- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ANDREW J. FORSYTHE and GEORGE L. GWINN, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Kokomo, in the county of Howard and Stateof Indiana, have invented a new and useful Tension Device for Fence-Machines, of which the following is a' specification.

This invention relates to tension devices for that class offence-machines which are used for manufacturing combined picket-and-wirefences; and it has for its object to provide a tension device whichshall be simple andinexpensive in construction, and by the use of whichthe strain upon the wire shall at all times be even and regular. Theinvention consists in the improved construction and arrangement ofparts, which will be hereinafterdescribed, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of our tension device.Fig. 2 is a trans verse vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is aside view of the same.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

A and B designate a pair of vertical standards suit-ably mounted upon atransverse base or sill O, and provided with bearings fora series oftransverse shafts D D, of which there may be any desired number,according to the number of strands of wire to be used in the fence whichis to be constructed. The ends of the shafts D which extend through thestandard A are provided with square winding-posts E, to receive acrank-handle or wrench, by means of which the said shafts may be turned.

F F are sleeves mounted upon the shafts D and provided at their innerends adjoining the standardAwith ratchet-wheels G, adapted to be engagedby pawls H, which are mounted pivotally upon the inner sides of saidstandards A. The reels of wire are in practice to be mounted upon andsuitably secured to the said sleeves, so as to revolve with the latter,or the wire may be wound directly upon the said sleeves.

I I designate wheels or disks mounted upon the shafts D, adjoining thesleeves F. The inner ends of the hubs J of said wheels abut against theinner ends of said sleeves F, and

the outer ends of the hubs J extend through the hearings in the standardB. The ends of the shafts D which extend beyond the hubs J are screwthreaded and provided with thumb-nuts K, by means of which the hubs Jmay be forced up against the sleeves F, so as to revolve with thelatter, which are to be secured firmly upon or constructed integrallywith the shafts D.

L designates a bracket extending rearwardly from the upper end of thestandards A B, to which it may be connected by suitable braces. BracketL is provided with a series of slots M, in which are journaledperipherallygrooved guide-pulleys N, over which pass ropes or cords O,the outer ends of which carry weights P, while the inner ends of saidropes or cords are firmly secured to the several wheels I at theperipheries of the latter.

In operation the wires pass from our improved tension device to thefence-machine, which may be of any desired construction. The cords O arewound upon the disks I in a direction opposite to that in which the wireis coiled upon the wheels or drums, and the weights P are normallylowered while the thumb-nuts K are tightened, so as to connect the hubsJ of the wheels I securely with the sleeves F. It follows that as thewire is being uncoiled from the latter the shafts with the wheels I willbe rotated and the cords O wound upon the latter, thus raising theweightsP and causing them to strain the wires equally throughout. Whenthe weights P have been raised to the highest limit, the pawls II arethrown into engagement with the ratchetwheels G and thelllllllllb-11llllS K loosened, thus permitting the disks I to revolvewhile the weights P descend, without affecting the position of thesleeves F, or in any way loosening the wires coiled thereon. In thismanner the fence may be woven with tightly-drawn wires, and the severalstrands are all kept evenly and equally strained, the weights P being ofcourse equally heavy.

Having thus described our invention, we claim- 1. In a tension devicefor fence-machines, the combination, with a suitable frame, of a seriesof horizontal shafts, sleeves suitably secured upon the said shafts andhaving ratchetwheels adapted to engage pawls mounted piv otally upon thefra1ne,wheels or disks mounted loosely upon said shafts, means fortemporarily connecting said wheels and causing them to revolve with thesaid sleeves, and cords attached to the peripheries of saidwheels,passing over suitably-arranged guide-pulleys, and having weightsattached to their ends, substantially as set forth.

2. In a tension device for fence-machines, the combination of a suitableframe, a series of horizontal shafts journaled therein, sleeves suitablysecured upon the said shafts and having ratchet-wheels engaging pawlswhich are pivot-ed upon the frame, wheels or disks mounted loosely uponsaid shafts, thumb-nuts at the outer ends of said shafts, adapted toforce the said wheels into contact with said sleeves, and cords attachedto the peripheries of said wheels passing over suitable guidepulleys andhaving weights attached to their ends, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the sill, the vertical at the upper ends of saidstandards, the

sleeves secured upon shafts journaled transversely in the saidstandards, ratchet-Wheels upon the said sleeves, pawls pivoted to one ofthe standards and engaging the said ratchetwheels, wheels or disksmounted loosely upon the shafts adjacent to the said sleeves, thumbnutsupon the outer ends of said shafts, adapted to force said wheels intocontact with said sleeves, and cords attached to the peripheries of thewheels, passing over suitable guide-pulleys and provided with weights attheir free ends, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoafiixed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

1's ANDREW J. FORSY'IHE.

mark

GEORGE L. GAVINN.

Witnesses:

JAMES C. BLACKLIDGE, GEORGE R. STEWART.

